I’m one of those people who’s naturally semi-gifted at a good number of things, but there are few I’ve loved enough to truly grow in skill. Playing piano is one… I will never be a concert pianist, but I started when I was 6 or 7, so I’ve been playing for nearly 30 years. Writing is another one… come later this month (the 19th, if memory serves), I will have been journaling for 25 years, and at the end of 2024, 10 of those years have been daily… and that’s just the journaling. This year I’m hoping to focus some good hours on bread baking and photography. Thanks for the reminder that it takes time to grow a skill, but how much good comes from it. ☺️
Also… not sure if you ever returned to sewing, but as someone who learned to sew in high school and has a mom who quilts, the majority of sewing isn’t overly complicated once you get the hang of it, but quilting is a whoooole ‘nother beast. I’m hoping to pull my sewing machine back out sometime in the next few years, but I’ll leave the quilting to my mom. 🤣
Aww thank you Sarah Anne! So glad to hear you've been playing piano and writing for so long! I never returned to sewing, but maybe one day when my life is less insane I would like to be able to edit clothes I pick up secondhand. I did not know that quilting was a whole other thing - what a relief! Never trying that again hahaha
Reading this makes me miss you. Going to start sending you unsolicited voice notes. So thankful to the Lord you’ve kept practicing counselling these 15 years!
One thing I’m learning in my thirties is that if I really want to learn something, I’ll stick with it because it matters to me, because my curiosity is drawing me in its direction. And if I have to force myself to stick with it, I probably don’t care all that much about it. Then I let it go.
What a relief! I'm a big fan of that idea. So many things are hard in your thirties, it's great to be able to let stuff go, to not have the pressure to learn it and pursue only those things that bring joy in your margin time.
Bec I truly loved this. Such a good reminder to me that writing is a craft and an art and takes practice. Since starting Substack I just want to be good at it like you and the coffee and crumbs writers and others here but it takes time! And I love the line where you said you do some of those things not because you're paid, but because you like it. Ahh saving this one. So good!
Aww thanks!! I'm preaching to myself here. I could get down on myself that there are so many good writers, or I could rejoice that we are all growing in the craft together. Writing brings colour and joy to my days, so I remind myself of this whenever I get sucked in my comparison. Keep going with your words! They are lovely!
You're so right Bec! I have the same with photography. There's no point in comparing! Let's all just get joy out of it. And thanks for your encouragement. I'll keep at it! 😊
“There is something beautifully anti-algorithmic about the grit, the pure bloody persistence in learning a skill. It is in sharp juxtaposition to hustle culture, artificial intelligence, internet hacks, and instant gratification. Craftsmanship cannot be delivered to your door” this was so good! I also want to succeed right away at something new. Great reminder.
So good!! This reminded me how I also tried sewing at one point. It had similar results to yours. 😂 But I did keep trying for a couple years till I realized that for me, focusing on doing a few things (writing and piano for me) was better stewardship of my time and what God has given me to do. Love your writing, Bec! I’m so glad you’ve taken the time to work on it!!
Aww thank you so much for your kind words, Joy! So glad I'm not the only one that ends up crazy from trying to sew!!
I would love to learn to play piano. I had lessons in high school but turned up at the wrong place and time so often it wasn't worth paying for it... But I'm hoping to enrol my oldest son in piano (he loves music) and learn alongside him. Congrats on your essay in the C+C collection!!!
I totally get this, and I've got a kiddo who's like this too. It's hard to not be good at something the first time, but there's also a lot of freedom in owning that you just don't care about some things 😜
Hahaha yes 100% I am coming to this perspective! It's so great to be like, "I don't love this thing" or "I'm not great at it" and move on with your life.
Wow. You may not be able to thread a needle, but Lord, you can surely write, Bec. I'm guessing that you bring a whole lot of compassion and insight to the counseling room, too. You go, girl. If you're all this at 35, I can't even imagine what God will be doing through you in 10, 20, 30 years.
I’m one of those people who’s naturally semi-gifted at a good number of things, but there are few I’ve loved enough to truly grow in skill. Playing piano is one… I will never be a concert pianist, but I started when I was 6 or 7, so I’ve been playing for nearly 30 years. Writing is another one… come later this month (the 19th, if memory serves), I will have been journaling for 25 years, and at the end of 2024, 10 of those years have been daily… and that’s just the journaling. This year I’m hoping to focus some good hours on bread baking and photography. Thanks for the reminder that it takes time to grow a skill, but how much good comes from it. ☺️
Also… not sure if you ever returned to sewing, but as someone who learned to sew in high school and has a mom who quilts, the majority of sewing isn’t overly complicated once you get the hang of it, but quilting is a whoooole ‘nother beast. I’m hoping to pull my sewing machine back out sometime in the next few years, but I’ll leave the quilting to my mom. 🤣
Aww thank you Sarah Anne! So glad to hear you've been playing piano and writing for so long! I never returned to sewing, but maybe one day when my life is less insane I would like to be able to edit clothes I pick up secondhand. I did not know that quilting was a whole other thing - what a relief! Never trying that again hahaha
Reading this makes me miss you. Going to start sending you unsolicited voice notes. So thankful to the Lord you’ve kept practicing counselling these 15 years!
Oh my goodness PLEASE send me unsolicited voice notes, I would love that!!! I miss our chats! 💛💛💛
One thing I’m learning in my thirties is that if I really want to learn something, I’ll stick with it because it matters to me, because my curiosity is drawing me in its direction. And if I have to force myself to stick with it, I probably don’t care all that much about it. Then I let it go.
What a relief! I'm a big fan of that idea. So many things are hard in your thirties, it's great to be able to let stuff go, to not have the pressure to learn it and pursue only those things that bring joy in your margin time.
I read I’m glad my mom died very recently and want to read yellow face! How funny
We have a similar taste in books! Love being able to trade recs with you 👏👏
Bec I truly loved this. Such a good reminder to me that writing is a craft and an art and takes practice. Since starting Substack I just want to be good at it like you and the coffee and crumbs writers and others here but it takes time! And I love the line where you said you do some of those things not because you're paid, but because you like it. Ahh saving this one. So good!
Aww thanks!! I'm preaching to myself here. I could get down on myself that there are so many good writers, or I could rejoice that we are all growing in the craft together. Writing brings colour and joy to my days, so I remind myself of this whenever I get sucked in my comparison. Keep going with your words! They are lovely!
You're so right Bec! I have the same with photography. There's no point in comparing! Let's all just get joy out of it. And thanks for your encouragement. I'll keep at it! 😊
Yay!
“There is something beautifully anti-algorithmic about the grit, the pure bloody persistence in learning a skill. It is in sharp juxtaposition to hustle culture, artificial intelligence, internet hacks, and instant gratification. Craftsmanship cannot be delivered to your door” this was so good! I also want to succeed right away at something new. Great reminder.
Thanks Alyssa! 💛💛
So good!! This reminded me how I also tried sewing at one point. It had similar results to yours. 😂 But I did keep trying for a couple years till I realized that for me, focusing on doing a few things (writing and piano for me) was better stewardship of my time and what God has given me to do. Love your writing, Bec! I’m so glad you’ve taken the time to work on it!!
Aww thank you so much for your kind words, Joy! So glad I'm not the only one that ends up crazy from trying to sew!!
I would love to learn to play piano. I had lessons in high school but turned up at the wrong place and time so often it wasn't worth paying for it... But I'm hoping to enrol my oldest son in piano (he loves music) and learn alongside him. Congrats on your essay in the C+C collection!!!
I totally get this, and I've got a kiddo who's like this too. It's hard to not be good at something the first time, but there's also a lot of freedom in owning that you just don't care about some things 😜
Hahaha yes 100% I am coming to this perspective! It's so great to be like, "I don't love this thing" or "I'm not great at it" and move on with your life.
Thank you, Rebecca, for your skillful writing. Your diligence has paid off.
Thanks Julie!! 💛
You are most welcome, Rebecca.
Wow. You may not be able to thread a needle, but Lord, you can surely write, Bec. I'm guessing that you bring a whole lot of compassion and insight to the counseling room, too. You go, girl. If you're all this at 35, I can't even imagine what God will be doing through you in 10, 20, 30 years.
Oh my goodness, Linda, thank you so much for your kind words. 💛💛